Adjusting motor for automobile seats

ABSTRACT

A control circuit within a control housing that is powered by means of a pluggable plug device may be plugged into an adjusting motor including a motor housing. The control housing may be affixed to the motor housing using a form or friction fit. The motor housing includes a plug device for optional connection with a matching plug device to supply power via a cable or from the output of the control circuit, whereby the control circuit includes a plug device matching the plug device on the motor housing and the plug device forming the output.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an adjusting motor and moreparticularly, to an adjusting motor having a control circuit or unitwhich interconnects with the adjusting motor my means of correspondingor matching plugs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] An adjusting motor of the known type disclosed in EP 05 77 201 A1that is particularly intended to drive auxiliary devices in automobiles,such as in automobiles seats, includes an electronic control device thatmay be plugged into adjusting-motor contact pins located on the exteriorof the adjusting motor. A power supply element is connected to thecontrol unit using a plug connector. This configuration is intended tosimplify installation of various models of adjusting motors. Theadjusting motor cannot be operated without the control unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Based on this state of the art, it is the task of the inventionto provide an adjusting motor of the known type in such a manner that itmay be optionally powered and controlled either by a central device orby a control circuit dedicated to the individual adjusting motor. In aspecial embodiment, the spatial assignment of the control unit housingof the central control circuit to the motor housing must be as adaptableto the most varying application, situations and installation situationsas possible.

[0004] The solution of this task results from the properties of anadjusting motor including a motor housing into which a control circuitmounted in a control housing may be plugged, that may be supplied withpower by means of a connectible plug device. The control housingincludes a securing area form-fit to the motor housing, and wherein themotor housing includes a plug connection for optional connection with amatching plug device for power supply by means of a cable or from theoutput of the control circuit. The control circuit includes a plugdevice matching the plug device on the motor housing, and the plugdevice forming the output.

[0005] The same connection on the motor housing is used in any case toprovide power and control signals. The control circuit dedicated to theadjusting motor fits in a space saving manner to the motor housing. Itis easy to install because the plug connection is always standard evenfor varying circuits and varying contact pin configuration.

[0006] In an alternative embodiment in which the control housing isconnected with the motor housing by means of a securing strapsurrounding the motor, a simple and quick securing option exists thatalso allows adaptation to the most demanding installation situations.

[0007] Further advantageous embodiments result from the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

[0008] It is of particular advantage to provide two parallel butseparated securing straps that are preferably in the form of cable ties.Cable ties are a low cost and particularly quickly installable securingelement. A cable tie is a cheap mass-produced item that ensures astrong, reliable connection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjusting motor with controlcircuit in accordance with the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the adjusting motor in FIG. 1viewed obliquely from behind;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the adjusting motor in FIG. 1 withthe control circuit removed from the motor; and

[0012]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second advantageous embodimentof the adjusting motor with control circuit in accordance with thepresent invention.

[0013] In the illustrations, identical or corresponding parts areidentified using the same reference index. If necessary, they aredistinguished from each other using apostrophes.

[0014] Regarding the embodiment example in FIGS. 1 through 3, anadjusting motor 1 includes a motor housing 1 a in which a drive shaft idis mounted on an axis le so that it may rotate about it, to which motorhousing a control circuit 2 with a control housing 2 a is attached. Asecuring area 2 c of the control housing 2 a formed, in the disclosedembodiment, as a holding bracket, serves for attachment. This securingarea 2 c completely surrounds the motor housing 1 a in cooperation withthe lower side of the control housing 2 a. The securing area 2 c and theexterior surface of the control housing 2 a completing it form aninterior shaped surface whose cross section corresponds to the exteriorsurface of the motor housing 1 a. The control circuit 2 thus may beeasily pushed onto the motor housing 1 a along the direction of therotation axis le, and is held against it so that it may not rotate bysecuring area 2 c.

[0015] The adjusting motor 1 bears a plug connection device 1 b on itsrear side, by means of which the motor may be supplied with power andcontrol signals. When the control circuit 2 is pressed into place, amatching plug connection device 2 d firmly attached to the controlcircuit 2 is forced into the plug connection device 1 b of the motor.The matching plug connection device 2 d includes a spring-loadedsecuring device 2 e that fits into a matching recess 1 c on the plugconnection device 1 b. The securing device 2 e may be moved by means ofa releasing lever 2 f into a released position in which the securing ofthe control housing 2 a to the motor housing 1 a along the direction ofthe rotation axis is cancelled.

[0016] On its side opposing the matching plug connection device 2 d, thecontrol housing 2 a bears a plug device 2 b into which a matching plugdevice 2 b (not shown) may be inserted. This matching plug deviceessentially corresponds to the matching plug device 2 d provided on thecontrol housing 2 a, and connects the control circuit 2 with a powersource or with a central control unit. It is therefore worthwhile forthe plug devices 1 b and 2 b on control housing 2 a and motor housing 1a to be identical. They may, of course, be distinguished from each otherby the contact pin configuration. A matching plug device separated fromthe control circuit 2 may optionally be inserted into either the plugdevice 1 b or 2 b, whereby its securing device fits into either thematching recess 1 c or 2 g.

[0017] The two compatible components of a plug device and matching plugdevice are furnished with reference indices in this description and inthe Patent claims. Each component may thus be spoken of colloquially asa “socket” or a “plug.”

[0018] Regarding the embodiment example in FIG. 4, the basic designcorresponds to that of the first embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 through3. The difference is merely the connection between the control circuit 2and the matching plug device 2 d. In the second embodiment example, thisis by means of a cable 2 h. The flexibility of the cable 2 h allowssecuring the control circuit 2 with respect to the motor housing 1 a invarious positions about the outer circumference of the motor housing 1a. Securing it in various positions about the outer circumference of themotor housing 1 a is achieved using two separated securing straps 2 c′.The securing straps may be secured to the control housing 2 a of thecontrol circuit 2 in various ways. It is thus possible, for example, topass these securing straps 2 c′ that are provided at an axial separationfrom each other and parallel to each other through an aperture (notshown) on the underside of the control housing 2 a. In such a solution,the securing straps 2 c′ may be displaced longitudinally with respect tothe control housing 2 a. It is also possible to attach the securingstraps 2 c′ to the control housing 2 a so that they may not be displacedlongitudinally. The securing strap is wound around, closed, and secured.A particularly simple and worthwhile manner of attaching using securingstraps is to use cable ties, which are low-cost mass-produced items thatcompletely correspond to the challenges posed by this application.

[0019] In the second embodiment example, the underside of the controlhousing 2 a is drawn tightly to the motor housing 1 a by means of thesecuring straps 2 c′. This manner of securing allows positioning thecontrol housing 2 a at any point along the circumference and in anyposition between the rear surfaces of the motor housing 1 a.

[0020] Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in theart are considered to be within the scope of the present invention whichis not to be limited except by the claims which follow.

1. An adjusting motor including a motor housing into which a controlcircuit mounted in a control housing may be plugged, that may besupplied with power by means of a connectible plug device, wherein thecontrol housing (2 a) includes a securing area (2 c) form-fit to themotor housing, and wherein the motor housing includes a plug connectionfor optional connection with a matching plug device for power supply bymeans of a cable or from the output of the control circuit, and wherebythe control circuit includes a plug device matching the plug device onthe motor housing, and the plug device forming the output.
 2. Theadjusting motor as in claim 1, wherein the control housing may be lockedinto a fixed position on the motor housing.
 3. The adjusting motor as inclaim 1, wherein locking between the plug device of the motor housingand the matching plug device of the control housing is provided.
 4. Theadjusting motor as in claim 3, wherein the locking is achieved using aspring-loaded securing device that is shaped to engage with a matchingrecess.
 5. The adjusting motor as in claim 1, wherein the plug device ofthe motor housing and the matching plug device of the control housingare arranged in a fixed configuration with respect to each other.
 6. Theadjusting motor as in claim 1, wherein the securing area includes aholding bracket that at least partially surrounds the motor housing. 7.The adjusting motor as in claim 1, wherein the plug device of the motorhousing and the plug device of the control housing point in oppositedirections when in a connected condition.
 8. The adjusting motor as inclaim 1, wherein the control housing with its securing area may beinserted onto the motor housing in the direction of the rotational axisof the adjusting motor, and whose matching plug device may be insertedinto the plug device of the motor housing when it is installed.
 9. Theadjusting motor as in claim 1, wherein an interior shaped surface of thesecuring area and an adjacent area of the control housing matches anexterior shaped surface of the motor housing.
 10. An adjusting motorincluding a motor housing into which a control circuit mounted in acontrol housing may be plugged, that may be supplied with power by meansof a connectible plug device, wherein the control housing (2 a) includesa securing area (2 c) form-fit to the motor housing, and wherein themotor housing includes a plug connection for optional connection with amatching plug device for power supply by means of a cable or from theoutput of the control circuit, and whereby the control circuit includesa plug device matching the plug device on the motor housing, and theplug device forming the output, and wherein an interior shaped surfaceof the securing area and an adjacent area of the control housing matchesan exterior shaped surface of the motor housing.
 11. An adjusting motorfor automobile seats with a motor housing onto which a control circuitmounted in a control housing may be plugged, that may be supplied withpower by means of a pluggable plug device: wherein the control housingmay be affixed to the motor housing in any position by means of asecuring strap surrounding the motor housing, and wherein the motorhousing includes a plug device for optional connection with a matchingplug device to supply power by means of a cable or from the output ofthe control circuit, whereby the control circuit includes a plug devicematching the plug device on the motor housing, as well as the matchingplug device connected with the control circuit by means of cable. 12.The adjusting motor as in claim 11, wherein the control housing may beaffixed to the motor housing using two parallel, separated securingstraps.
 13. The adjusting motor as in claim 11, wherein the securingstraps are cable ties that include a securing aperture on one end and atoothed engaging area that passes through the aperture and cannot bepulled out against the insertion direction.